About the Miracle of the Splitting of the Moon

About the Miracle of the Splitting of the Moon

Taken from The Miracles of Muhammad a book written

by: Bediuzzaman Said Nursi

In the Name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful

The Hour is nigh, and the moon split. But if they see a sign, they turn away and say. "This is evident Magic." Qur'an 54:1-2

MATERIALIST philosophers and their absurd imitators, who attempt to cast a shadow over such a moon-like miracle of Muhammad (S) by vicious misgivings, say, "If the splitting of the moon had occurred, it would have been known to the whole world and narrated on all the books of history."

OUR ANSWER: The splitting of the moon was demonstrated as an evidence of prophethood. It happened instantaneously, before a certain group of deniers at a time of night when people were asleep. There were, at the same time, obstacles that prevented others from witnessing this event, such as fog, clouds, and the time differences between parts of the world. Furthermore, science had not spread at the time, so that researches were very limited. This miracle therefore, was not intended to be witnessed all over the world and to be narrated by all historians. Now listen to the following Five Points that will clear the clouds of misgiving concerning the miracle of the splitting of the moon.

First Point:

The extreme stubbornness of the unbelievers at that tome was notorious. However, when the Most Wise Qur'an announced this occurrence through the verse, And the moon split, none of them dared to contradict the event that was reported by this verse, although they were rejecters of the whole of the Qur'an. If this event had not been witnessed by the unbelievers, they would have denounced this verse and made use of this opportunity in their formidable attacks against the Prophet (S). Whereas neither the Prophet's (S) biography or history reports denial of the occurrence of this event from them. What has been narrated be history is, as the verse, They say, "This is evident magic," Points out that they called it magic. They said, "If the caravans at other places have witnessed this, it is true, otherwise, it is magic. When the caravans coming from Yemen and other places told them the following morning that they had witnessed such an event, they said--God forbid!--"The magic of Abu Talibs's orphan has affected the heavens!"

Second Point:

Most of the foremost scholars such as Sa'd ad-Din at-Taftazani have stated that "The occurrence of the splitting of the moon is mutawatir, just like the running of the water from the fingers of the Prophet (S) and the drinking of a whole army, the weeping of a wooden pillar, against which the Prophet (S) would lean when delivering sermons, at the Prophet's (S) separation and it's being heard by a vast group. This has been transmitted by one truthful group of people to another, forming together so vast a community as its collision to lie is inconceivable. It is as certain as a famous comet having been seen a thousand years ago, or as the existence of the island of Ceylon that we have not seen."

To express doubts about such certain and witnessed occurrences is unreasonable. For their not being impossible is enough reason for their acceptability; as for the splitting of the moon, it is quite as possible as a mountain's splitting with a volcanic eruption.

Third Point:

Miracles take place in order to prove the claim of prophethood, to convince deniers, and not to force them to believe. This miracle needed to convince those who had already heard of the prophet hood of Muhammad (S). To let it be seen from other parts of the world, or to demonstrate it in an undeniably obvious way, therefore, would have been contrary to the Wisdom of the All-Wise Creator and to the purpose of man's function in the universe, which is to open the way for the mind without disabling the free will. If the All-Wise Creator had, in accordance with the whims of materialist philosophers, left the moon in the same condition for a few hours to show it to the entire world, and if this fact had thereby been recorded by all historians, it would have been treated among other astronomical incidents, without being restricted to the messengership of Muhammad (S) and without being considered a proof of prophethood. Or, it would have been such an obvious miracle that it would have forced the mind to believe and deprived it of the free will. As a consequence, coal and diamonds (or Abu Jahl and Abu Bakr) would have been the same--the purpose of man's function in the universe would have been lost. This was the reason why this miracle was not shown to the entire world to be recorded in all books of history.

Point Four:

Since this event took place instantaneously and at a time when people were asleep, it would not, of course, have been seen everywhere. Even if some people had seen it, they would not have believed their eyes; even if they had, such individual reports would not have constituted an inexhaustible theme for historians. Furthermore, and in addition to some other obstacles, it was sunset in Spain and England (which were then under the clouds of ignorance)when this incident happened, daytime in America, and morning in China and Japan; so it could not be observed in other parts of the world. Yet thoughtless rejecters say, "It did not occur, as it is not mentioned in the histories of such people as the Chinese, Japanese, and Americans." A thousand curses upon such bootlickers of the Western philosophers!

(On the other hand, the claim that the moon came down to earth after it had split into two parts has been rejected by scholars. It has been suggested that this claim is probably the work of a hypocrite, aimed at reducing the value of this manifest miracle.)

Fifth Point:

The splitting of the moon was not a product of chance, nor did it occur as a result of natural causes; the ordinary laws of nature are hence inapplicable to this case. In fact, the All-Wise Creator of the sun and the moon wonderfully brought it about as evidence to uphold the prophethood the prophethood of His Messenger and to throw greater light upon his course. The purpose of human obligation, the mystery of guidance and the wisdom of the prophetic message required its demonstration to certain people defined by the lord's wisdom. And those who were not intended and who had not yet heard about the prophethood of Muhammad were prevented from seeing this occurrence by means of many obstacles such as clouds, fog, and time differences. If it had been shown to all alike as a miracle of the Prophet (S), his prophethood would have been so manifest that everyone would have been compelled to accept it; nothing would have been left to the mind--whereas belief is to be acquired by the choice of the mind--and the motive of human obligation would have been lost. If, on the other hand, it had been shown to others as an astronomical incident, it would have had no peculiarity to and no relationship with the message of Muhammad.

As the possibility of the happening of the splitting of the moon has clearly been demonstrate, and there remains no doubt about it, we will now point out six evidences¹ of its occurrence out of many.

• The concurrence of the Companions of the Prophet (S), who are all men of justice,

• The agreement of all discerning interpreters on the explanation of this verse, "And the moon split,"

• It's having been narrated by all truthful traditionalists through various authentic channels,

• The testimony of all the men of truth and sainthood--the men of Inspiration and spiritual discovery,

• The conformation of theologians who widely vary in their outlooks and of profound scholars,

• The concurrence of the nation of Muhammad, who, as established by authentic narration, never agree on error.

These are six evidences that prove the splitting of the moon as brightly as the sun.

To conclude, our words up to now have been aimed at proving the occurrence of the miracle and the refutation of the objections to it. The words henceforth will be on behalf of the truth and in the name of faith. So much for the proof; now the truth speaks:

1. Namely, six evidences that prove the occurrence of this event with a sixfold affirmation.

We regret that this subject has been cut short, although it deserves much more explanation.

The Seal of the Prophets and the brilliant moon in the heaven of messenger-ship showed through hid Ascension the greatest wonder and the supreme miracle if his sainthood, one at the degree of the best beloved servant of Allah. This miracle was to conduct an earthly being through the heavens and show the inhabitants of the heavens and of the highest abodes his superiority to them and his belovedness of Allah. Similarly, such a miracle was demonstrated to the inhabitants of the earth as evidence of his messengership that the moon, which is set in the sky and bound to the earth, split into two upon the gesture of an earthly being. And, these two miracles of his sainthood and messengership as two luminous wings--like the two luminous wing of the moon split into two--he flew to the heaven of perfection, to the Distance of Two Bowstrings, and became the glory of both the beings of the earth and those of the heavens.

So many peace and blessings be upon him and his family as to fill the earth and heavens.

In the Name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful

Glory be unto Thee! We have no knowledge save that which Thou hast taught us: Verily Thou art All-Knowing, All-Wise Qur'an 2:32